Single Publication

CURRENT SITUATION: Today’s weather conditions are expected to bring scattered showers over the fire area. Our crews have been closely monitoring the Smith River Fire. Anticipating the rainfall, crews are monitoring the impacts on the ongoing suppression efforts. Our top priorities continue to be; ensuring the firefighter and public safety, maintaining fire suppression efforts, and initiating vital suppression recovery activities. We anticipate minimal fire activity along the fire line, further reducing the threat to communities. Our dedicated crews will be diligently conducting regular patrols along the fire line to identify and address any remaining hotspots or smoldering areas promptly. Continuous monitoring of the fire's behavior is a top priority to preempt any potential flare-ups outside containment lines.

Suppression repair activities include chipping, grading, and snag abatement, along with ongoing suppression activities like patrolling, mop-up, and unmanned aerial surveillance. We would like to remind the public that while county roads remain open, forest service roads remain closed for firefighter safety. Your vigilance and cooperation are greatly appreciated. We urge you to stay informed about of the latest conditions through updates from local authorities, and adhere to any safety instructions. Please remain prepared for any unforeseen changes in fire behavior. Moving forward, updates will be issued every other day. Thank you for your understanding and solidarity. Please stay safe.

WEATHER: Weather over the fire area today will be mostly cloudy with rain expected to taper off to, then isolated showers in the afternoon. Temperatures in the valleys will range from a high of 59°-63° with ridgetop temperatures 53°-58°. Relative humidity values will range from 68-76% in valleys to 61-68% along ridgetops. Winds are anticipated out of the west 2-5 mph in the valleys, and 6-10 mph along ridgetops. 

CLOSURES: US 199 in Del Norte County is fully closed twice daily, Monday through Friday, from 8 AM to 11 AM and from 1 PM to 4 PM. During all open hours, traffic will be one-way and piloted between Grassy Flat Campground east of Gasquet and Oregon Mountain Road. Motorists should anticipate delays during all open hours. Caltrans provides information on current highway conditions online (roads.dot.ca.gov), by phone (800-427-7623), and on Facebook (facebook.com/CaltransD1).

Six Rivers National Forest lands, roads, and trails around the Smith River Complex fires are closed (Forest Order No. 10-23-09). View the Order, closure map, and day use exceptions on the Forest’s website: tinyurl.com/4atens8c.